Becoming an Auntie again!

Marley is going to become a big sister!! I am so excited for my Sister-in-Law and Brother-in-Law as they are expecting their second baby!! I love that we are pregnant for like 3 weeks together- Love you 4... Xoxo

37 Weeks...

Congratulations Ladybug you are full term! Mommy loves you so much and I have enjoyed having you so close to me 24/7 for the last 9 months, but you can be in my arms at any time! Everything is ready and the car seat is locked and loaded so now Mommy and Daddy just wait... Xoxo Mommy

Cleaning before baby...

As I have spent the last few weeks getting our place ready for baby I have come across some products that have made life a lot easier and also some old products I can't live without...

These little guys work like magic to clean walls, doors, cabinets and just about anything...

Wet the sponge and wipe away, as you use it some pieces will fall off and it will get dark (it is as if it looses a part of itself to get the job done) so rinse and continue use until it is all dark!

This will come in handy when I need to clean fingerprints off the walls...

This daily shower cleaner works great! Hang, insert the liquid, shower and push the button before you get out!

A clean shower every time...

Scrubbing Bubbles fresh brush is amazing! The wand hangs on the side of the toilet and all you do is clamp on the brush, clean and flush it away!!! I am not a fan of toilet brushes on display for re-use next to a toilet so this is the perfect solution.

This sweeper works great getting unwanted dog hair off of the couch, blankets, bed or clothes.

Why buy multiples when you can buy one...

What are some of your favorite cleaning products?

xoxo- Richelle

Walk Walk Walk...Wash Wash Wash...

Ian and I spent our Saturday at home relaxing, finishing up the babies room and anxiously awaiting our new washer/dryer that my parents just got us!! We decided to past the time by starting our daily walking to hopefully bring Zoe James a little early and in time for all the fun Christmas festivities... The Doctor said she is good to come after 37 weeks, which will be Tuesday (kinda crazy)!

After our walk, lunch, a shower, and a nap it finally came...

Out with the OLD!!!

In with the NEW!!

First load is everything baby...

Ian and I sat and watched it wash for about 5 minutes! I am in love and so happy!!

To all you Mom's out there...Here is to happy washing!

-xoxo Richelle

A Thanksgiving to Remember...

Thanksgiving day was spent at my In-Laws in Fallbrook, California.

We had family, food, cool weather, yummy desserts, games, and lots of fellowship. 

Friday we were blessed to share in another Thanksgiving feast at my Parents. My mom made an amazing turkey dinner with the fixings and believe me Zoe enjoyed it. I love spending time with my family and all my cousins, and now my cousins babies... We ate, crafted, held our 2nd annual punkin chunkin competition (won by Uncle Davey), took hundreds of pictures and just enjoyed each other!

I hope and pray that you all felt love and happiness at your Thanksgiving celebrations!

-xoxo Richelle

A Board of Thankfulness...

Project Thankful 2011...

-xoxo Richelle and Family

Rest before our Family Thanksgiving

A perfect way to relax with my mommy before a fun and crazy day with family!!

A lifetime of Thankfulness celebrated on one day...

Happy Thanksgiving Day!
I try to live my life with the thanksgiving day mindset even though sometimes it can be hard... This morning I woke up to a clogged kitchen sink which meant I had to clean out under the sink, tear apart the pipes so it could drain, then realized I forgot butter in both of my beautifully baked Apple pies, and it took me two batches of merengue to get it right for my third pie. How is it that on the day one is supposed to be most grateful it can sometimes be the hardest...? I sat down took a breath and realized I have way to much to be thankful for to let a drain or pie ruin my day! I had a husband sleeping soundly that loves me, a baby girl moving like crazy in my belly, a puppy snuggled on the couch, and two family thanksgiving that we GET to attend! I am loved, healthy, and ready to become a mommy!! I am beyond thankful this morning for dry pies, and a stinky and clogged drain. Thank you God for giving me a reality check this morning! Have a great day celebrating a lifetime of blessing...
- xoxo The Cote' Clan

14 days of Thankfulness

Days...

10. Freedom

11. My husband work 

12. God's Provisions

13. Food

14. My car that is large, safe, and reliable

15. Doctors, Hospitals, Police, Fireman and all other serviceman and woman

16. Insurance

17. Photography, and the ability to capture moments in time

18. Carrying my baby to full term

19. Having a wonderful pregnancy

20. Technology to be able to keep in touch with family and friends

21. Living in San Diego

22. Running Water

23. Christ's never failing love

Celebrating 36 weeks with my cousins!

My cousin Jamie is vising from Wisconsin and I am so excited to spend some time with her, she always makes me laugh until I almost pee my pants or maybe this time go into labor ( maybe I'll keep her around longer)!! 

Jamie, her sister( my cousin Elyse) and baby Addie made the drive to San Diego to see our place, and spend the day SHOPPING!!! We had fun and a few good laughs walking in and out of stores with our shopping bags and Addie girl. We mostly bought things that were in sizes 0-3 months or 6-12 months, but at this stage in our lives that is more fun. Elyse, Jamie, and I were all really close growing up and I considered them my sisters. Looking back at the crazy and amazing childhood we had all growing up together being so close makes me wish we still lived 15 minutes away from each other, but the times we do have together are all that more precious!

Addie and Zöe!

For some reason when Jamie is around we put on funny hats when we shop...

Thanks for celebrating 36 weeks with me...

- xoxo Richelle

Doctors, Dinner, and my 3D Darling

This afternoon I had my 35 week appointment and I weighed in with a weight gain of SIX POUNDS!!! All I have to say is I worked for those six lbs. I ate, slept, ate, relaxed, ate, and sat... My Doctor said all looks well and I can stop worrying about weight and just focus on eating healthy for the remaining few weeks. 

Following my appointment Ian and I met our families at BJ's for dinner before our 3D ultrasound to see out baby girl. She was very low and the ultrasound technician had some trouble getting a clear photo. Her head is locked and loaded ready for delivery and her face was squished against my skin. I tried changing positions, emptying my bladder, walking around, and moving my belly but not much luck. 

What I could see of her is that she is perfect...

* She has beautiful lips

* No hair

* All her fingers and toes

* She is still a girl 

and she weighs in at 5 lbs. 10 oz.

The Grandma's

_______________________________________________________

 Meet Zöe James...

I can't wait to kiss those cheeks!

-xoxo Mommy

Lake Arrowhead...Past, Present, and Future

Well that weekend finally arrived, "Our last ever weekend stay at a hotel before we welcome our baby girl Zöe James into the world". I will be 36 weeks tomorrow which means she can come at any time, so we loaded the car with warm clothes, books, my knitting supplies, and my hospital bag ( just in case we delivered at the same hospital Ian was born at 28 years ago) and headed to my Husbands old stomping grounds for a night away in the forest. We stayed at the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa and enjoyed the warm fireplace and comfy leather couches. We sipped hot chocolate, ate warm soup, read, and I made Zöe her beanie to wear home from the hospital.

 It was cold and windy up there, but that is what I wanted as we walked around the village and around the lake enjoying the beautiful scenery and the crisp fog as it rolled in and out covering the views and then disappointing over the mountains.

 I enjoyed just being with my Husband as we ate dinner at Papagayos and breakfast at the Belgian Waffle works, life there is at a slower pace and I enjoy it. I love hearing stories of his childhood running around this mountain, getting snow days, making forts while playing Cowboys and Indians with life long childhood friends. It makes me want to move up there, but since the drive makes me nervous and the shoveling of snow gets old, I think we will someday buy a small vacation home, yes my husband might become one of the "WEEKENDERS" the locals always talked about... I can't wait until we can take Zöe up there to see where her Daddy grew up, touch snow for the first time, and run around the forest collecting rocks and pine cones. Now that we are safely down the mountain my baby girl is welcome to make her arrival ASAP... 

-xoxo Richelle

Celebrating Mom!

Yesterday I was blessed to spend another gorgeous day in the Temecula wine country, celebrating my Moms birthday with good friends!! We had a lovely lunch at Ponte Winery. It was an amazing day and I am so happy such great ladies could join in the celebration!

Mom, I hope and pray this is your best year!!!

I love you...

xoxo